Who are you?
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Andy and Christine Carter – we’re lifelong camping and campervan fans, and live on Shetland, 180 miles from Aberdeen.
Why are you a local authority on Shetland?
We live in Lerwick, the capital, and have spent most of our lives here.
What’s your favourite place?
Eshaness, 30 miles north of Lerwick, has fantastic sea cliffs and walks where you can explore spectacular storm beaches, subterranean passages, amazing rock formations in a UNESCO listed geo-ark, a lighthouse and many archaeological sites. The museum, campsite and café are open in summer.
Visitors love the south part of the main island, connecting to St Ninian’s Isle, where a treasure trove of silver was discovered in the 1950s. It was reputed to have been hidden from Viking raiders by Christian monks.
No trip would be complete without seeing Yell and Unst – both islands have sites with hardstanding pitches and good facilities. Go wild swimming, walk your dog or just enjoy a barbecue with nobody else around.
Which site would you recommend?
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Eight sites in Shetland are registered with the local tourist body. A further two are due to open soon. Our own favourites are Skeld Caravan Park and Campsite and Braewick Café and Caravan Park.
What food and drink is it well known for?
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Shetland is synonymous with seafood. The busy seaport of Lerwick has the second highest fish landings in the UK. The island also produces a high volume of farmed salmon and mussels, along with scallops, crab and lobster. It is easy to enjoy the best the sea can offer, from two fishmongers in the town.
In addition, Shetland has its own breed of cattle and sheep, organically reared for quality beef and mutton. There is a local brewery, and small bakeries located in the rural districts have fresh bread and cakes daily.
Tell us somewhere great to eat!
For fish and seafood, Frankies, in the village of Brae – the most northerly fish and chip restaurant in the UK – has won awards for quality and sustainability. There’s also excellent fish and chips in Lerwick’s Fort Café.
The Dowry, on Commercial Street, has a first-rate menu. There are several Indian and Chinese restaurants in town and a French café. C’est la vie. Our favourites include the Peerie Shop Café, on the esplanade, or Fjara, on Breiwick Bay, where you can enjoy coffee or a beer from Lerwick Brewery.
Where can you get spare kit?
DH Marine, near the marina on the outskirts of Lerwick, stocks toilet chemicals and motorhome kit. LHD, in the town, has camping and other outdoor gear. Rearo is a Calor and Camping agent, while refills for Gaslow and underslung tanks can be obtained from Zetgas, on the road north to Eshaness.
Where can you find the cheapest petrol/diesel?
There’s a choice of four filling stations Lerwick and access to fuel in many of the rural and island roadside shops.
Regrettably, fuel in Shetland is rather expensive – which continues to be a bone of contention for us locals!
Where should you avoid?
Traffic congestion is minimal and it is usually easy to park. However, there are some restrictions in the centre of town, where speed bumps reduce the traffic flow.
The main roads outside Lerwick are well maintained and compatible with A-class roads on the UK mainland. Anticipate single-track roads with passing places in remoter parts.
Share a highlight only a local would know
There are excellent opportunities to wild camp. Worthy of note is the site above St Ninian’s Isle – popular during the summer with local caravanners.
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